I must have missed the part in the article saying that Stefania had decided to end the partnership. Both Neveitalia and Gazzetta's articles didn't state any certain fact, except for the end of the partnership, so it's pointless to state who broke up with whom.
This is ridiculous. So skaters should post every single fact happening in their lives right away, before waiting for a new situation to settle itself, for the sake of poor fans who are eagerly waiting for news? Come on, it's their lives, I too have no idea why Stefania and Ondrej have split up and why Ondrej is trying out with Valentina, but there must be an explanation for everything and I am sure that when the skaters themselves will want to speak out and explain why they decided to make such changements in their careers, they will. Until that day I am certainly not going to be angry or disappointed towards them as it's their life and their career, not mine.
Once again.. when journalists report half of the news they only give rise to speculations.
Carolina is now a full-time university student and AFAIK she is not planning to skate competitively anymore. Leo Luca has been skating with her elder sister Lucrezia in the Junior ice dance category for the past season.
Personally, I still believe that if Valentina carried on in Singles, she could have got onto the podium in Europeans this coming season.
Are you serious? Russia has 3 slots at the Europeans, and I can't see Marchei beating Sotnikova, Lipnitskaya, Radionova or Pogorilaya, so it looks that there will be Russian sweep at ladies at Europeans. Valentina would have better chance to get a medal at 4CC (if Italy wasn't in Europe and she could compete at 4CC).
Are you serious? Russia has 3 slots at the Europeans, and I can't see Marchei beating Sotnikova, Lipnitskaya, Radionova or Pogorilaya, so it looks that there will be Russian sweep at ladies at Europeans. Valentina would have better chance to get a medal at 4CC (if Italy wasn't in Europe and she could compete at 4CC).
Are you serious? Russia has 3 slots at the Europeans, and I can't see Marchei beating Sotnikova, Lipnitskaya, Radionova or Pogorilaya, so it looks that there will be Russian sweep at ladies at Europeans. Valentina would have better chance to get a medal at 4CC (if Italy wasn't in Europe and she could compete at 4CC).
I don't think the podium, unless something happens, but mayber 4rth place. Which by the way will still be difficult because Meitè and the Wienzierl will improve even more. Kira will be there also.
Yes. I am.
Of course, all things being equal, it will be a Russian clean sweep of the podium. And given that Russia is my favourite team, I'm not complaining!
But, how often do all the Russian skaters skate cleanly in both segments? Not very often. There is normally at least one of the girls that makes a hash of one of the segments, and is not able to do well enough in the other to make up for it.
Although Meite has become a serious challenger to the position in the past season or 2, for me Marchei is still the best of the rest in the European field. If one of the Russians does mess up, it should be between these 2 for the final podium position. And, personally, I would go for Marchei.
I never figured she would be dumping him as a pairs partner, .
LOL Oh good grief. Let's just bring back the Protopopovs while we are at it and maybe Patrick Chan should team up with Carolina to try to win OGM and Takahashi can skate with Mao Asada as a pairs team for Japan. Heck give poor Fumie Suguri a shot with Plushenko. something must be in the air - people have trouble retiring, chasing after dreams - okay that should be fine but you wonder if the world is out of wack I guess as long a s no one gets hurt. Still it seems a llittle strange.
LOL Oh good grief. Let's just bring back the Protopopovs while we are at it and maybe Patrick Chan should team up with Carolina to try to win OGM and Takahashi can skate with Mao Asada as a pairs team for Japan. Heck give poor Fumie Suguri a shot with Plushenko. something must be in the air - people have trouble retiring, chasing after dreams - okay that should be fine but you wonder if the world is out of wack I guess as long a s no one gets hurt. Still it seems a llittle strange.
I know you're kidding but ... I kinda wanna see this happen.